Vinoculation

I’d stopped in at work tonight for a brief couple of minutes on my way out to dinner. I was in the back room, jotting down some notes, when I hear a familiar voice in North American twang from the shop floor. I poke my head out and, sure enough, it’s Claudia Weersing. The ever-radiant, beautiful, modest and kind Claudia Weersing. The same Claudia Weersing who is married to Mike Weersing. The same Mike Weersing of Pyramid Valley.

“Ahhhhhh”, I hear you all mutter. That place. But it’s not like Pyramid Valley is well-known. Those fortunate enough to have been privy to the charismatic charm of Mike Weersing and his sextastic range of Growers Series wines will nod knowingly, with corners of mouths shaping grins at such expressions of overt reverie for the man by yours truly. Others are no doubt bewildered, but intrigued nonetheless.

I’ll try to sum it up in 50 words or less. Mike is a Californian who cut his teeth with vintages in Burgundy and has worked at Coldstream in Australia with Halliday. He searched everywhere (worldwide) for his prized clay/limestone soils. He found them in the Pyramid Valley, a tiny region inland of Waipara. High density planting (10,000+vines/ha), low fruiting wire, select clonal selection, pinot noir and chardonnay. Oh, it’s fully biodynamic too.

The vines were planted in 2000 but the region is so marginal (not without its share of establishment hiccups too) that the vines off the Pyramid Valley vineyard haven’t really thrown a proper crop yet. However, there were some miniscule parcels of fruit procured from the ‘06 and ‘07 vintages, set to be released as super cult, rare wines in the future. Do not watch this space for release details - no chance I’m telling you.

All is not lost though. In the meantime, Mike has been growing fruit on select vineyards from around Marlborough and making some very special wines. Claudia just happened to have some tasting bottles open in the car tonight (call it serendipity) so I was treated to a quick sample of the new releases. The verdict? Buy them and find out.

• 2006 Pyramid Valley Kerner Estate Pinot Blanc
• 2006 Pyramid Valley Hille Semillon
• 2005 Pyramid Valley Eaton Family Pinot Noir
• 2006 Pyramid Valley Lebecca Riesling

Check out their website at www.pyramidvalley.co.nz and be quick to join their mailing list, before it’s closed and you’re relegated to a waiting list.